Avocado Spinach Basil Pesto Spaghetti (Print View)
Creamy avocado and basil pesto coats tender spaghetti for a quick, nutritious vegetarian pasta loaded with fresh greens and aromatic flavors.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 14 oz spaghetti
02 - Salt, for boiling water
→ Pesto
03 - 2 ripe avocados, pitted and peeled
04 - 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
05 - 1 cup fresh basil leaves
06 - 2 cloves garlic
07 - 1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts
08 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
10 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper
→ Garnish
12 - Additional grated Parmesan cheese
13 - Fresh basil leaves
14 - Cracked black pepper
# How to Make:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the spaghetti.
02 - While the pasta cooks, combine avocados, spinach, basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan, lemon juice, and olive oil in a food processor or blender. Season with salt and pepper.
03 - Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. If the mixture is too thick, add 1–2 tablespoons of pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
04 - Toss the drained spaghetti with the pesto, adding a splash of reserved pasta water as needed to coat the noodles evenly.
05 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan, fresh basil leaves, and a sprinkle of cracked black pepper.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The avocado transforms traditional pesto into something impossibly creamy without any heavy cream
- It comes together in under 15 minutes but tastes like something from a restaurant
02 -
- Avocado oxidizes quickly, so make the sauce right before you're ready to toss with pasta
- The pasta water is non-negotiable, it's the secret that makes the sauce cling to every strand
03 -
- Toasting the pine nuts in a dry pan for 3 minutes before blending intensifies their nutty flavor
- Add the lemon juice immediately after adding avocado to keep the color vibrant